Venkatsai Laxman and Mahendra Singh Dhoni put on 164 for the unbroken seventh wicket to consolidate India’s lead on the third day of the final Test against South Africa on Tuesday.
Laxman was unbeaten on 97, on the verge of his 15th Test century, and Dhoni was on 85 as India reached 548-6 by tea at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata to take their lead to 252 runs with four wickets in hand.
The duo ensured India did not lose a wicket in the post-lunch session, adding a brisk 117 runs off 30 overs.
India, who lost the first Test in Nagpur by an innings and six runs, need a win to square the series and retain their number one position in the official Test rankings.
Back to his best
Laxman, who missed the Nagpur Test due to a finger injury, played some trademark pulls and drives, while Dhoni hit 10 fours and a six off the erratic South African bowlers.
The South Africans, who made 296 in their first knock, squandered a few chances in the field which could prove costly as they seek their first Test series victory in India for nearly a decade.
Jean-Paul Duminy spilled his second catch of the match when he dropped Laxman on 48 at backward point off Wayne Parnell.
Duminy dropped Virender Sehwag on 47 while fielding in the slips on Monday. Sehwag went on to make 165 and set the platform for India’s huge first innings total.
Nightwatchman Amit Mishra (28) enjoyed a brief flourish and a couple of reprieves before falling to an ambitious upper cut which was plucked by Jacques Kallis off Morne Morkel (2-90) at second slip.
Mishra, dropped once each by Kallis and Graeme Smith, hit five fours in his 38-ball knock. Kallis was also guilty of letting off Dhoni in the slips on 23.
Dhoni charged down the track to loft left-arm spinner Paul Harris (1-159) over long-off for a six and followed it up with a firmly hit four to take India’s lead past 100.
Resuming at 342-5, Laxman flicked a couple of boundaries in the first over of the day by Dale Steyn, who has conceded 115 runs so far while taking just one wicket. — AFP